Evander Holyfield vs Larry Holmes primes

I know they fought IRL but Holmes was 42 and gave him much trouble, even making the champion look inept at times. On the other hand, prime Holmes did have his struggles with fighters lesser than prime Holyfield. How does one see Holyfield fighting the 78-82 version of Holmes?

 

Holmes UD

 

My vote is Larry Holmes by decision.

 

Holmes, certainly. Holyfield’s career belies how he’d perform against most of the Heavyweight greats, for mine. It’s largely ugly reading for him, & Holmes is part of that long L ledger.

 

That jab is going to score the points. Just cannot picture Evander avoiding it and finding a way to win 8 rounds to get the nod. Hang tough and give a good account of himself---absolutely.

Maybe in a 3 fight series Commander Vander can squeek out a narrow decision win. But Evander does not have that big and deep heart advantage over this opponent. Very well might be called "owen". As in 0 and 3.

 

Holmes did pretty good when he fought Holyfield in his prime, while being 42. Prime Holmes wins that easier than a lot of poeple think.

 

Holmes by decision, and Holyfield s face is ruined at the end.

 

I wouldn't be overly surprised if Holyfield took one in a trilogy. He's a better fighter at his best than Holmes ever beat. The hard thing is pinpointing what the best version of him would be to fight Holmes. It's not as easy as you'd think.

 

Yes I agree as I said in another thread when Holmes fought Holyfield in 1992 Holmes fought a primarily defensive fight off the ropes that's not how a prime Holmes fought. Also Holmes was losing the fight fairly convincingly IMO until Holmes accidentally elbowed Holyfield cutting him badly, which allowed Holmes to make a mini comeback in last 2 rounds or so.

I expect a prime Holmes to beat Holyfield by decision but it's not quite as clear cut just using their 1992 fight for reference as there is a few factors involved.

 

The accidental elbow made a sizeable difference for sure. I'd favor Holmes in a one off but Holyfield has plenty to give him a tough time.

 

I think it also makes a difference regarding the mentality of Holyfield if he was facing a prime Holmes instead of 42 year old version, I'm sure Holyfield would be much more focused and full of intent.

If you compare Holyfield that fought the likes of Holmes, Cooper, etc. And then compare it to Holyfield who fought Bowe in fights 1 and 2 two completely different animals.

 

Depends on the version of Holyfield prime Holmes would be facing.
If we're talking the pre Bowe Holyfield, I see Holyfield giving prime
Holmes pure hell. If not beating him by decision.
Post Bowe Holyfield prime Holmes would have a much easier
go of it.
Holyfield lost quite a bit of his speed, and flexibility as he bulked
up to deal with the bigger , stronger , but less skilled heavyweights
he would face of that era. And for the most part those changes helped him.
But against a heavyweight that was more skill and speed depended, that
version of himself becomes problematic.
I see post Bowe version of Holyfield losing a convincingly dec to prime
Holmes.

 

Fair point too.

 

This. But if they fought multiple times, I don’t think Larry would bat 1.000. Maybe .750. But prime Larry was better IMO, I have him third and Holyfield 11th on my personal ATG heavyweight list.

 

I don’t know that he was in a poor head state for Cooper, was he? That I know of. He just got caught simply, as I saw it. But if you have some insight, please…